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Spanish NGO halts Mediterranean migrant rescue missions due to fuel costs
The Spanish humanitarian organization Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario (SMH) has announced it will postpone its next migrant rescue mission in the Central Mediterranean until next year. The decision is driven by a doubling of fuel prices, which has forced the group to relocate its current operations to the waters around Valencia, Spain.
To address the rising operational expenses, SMH has launched a crowdfunding campaign. The Central Mediterranean route, primarily connecting North Africa to Italy, remains one of the most dangerous migration paths globally.
Data from the International Office for Migration indicates that while sea crossings to Europe have decreased by 39 percent in 2026 compared to the previous year—with approximately 60,000 arrivals—the mortality rate remains high. At least 2,292 people have died or gone missing during these attempts this year. Other Spanish NGOs, such as Open Arms, have also reported scaling back missions due to a combination of rising energy costs and Italian maritime policies regarding port assignments.
Entities
International Office for Migration · Mediterranean Sea · Open Arms · Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario · Valencia
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] SMH has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover increased operational costs. haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fuel prices have doubled, forcing SMH to shift operations to waters near Valencia, Spain. haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least 2,292 people have died or gone missing attempting sea crossings this year. haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The NGO Open Arms has scaled back Central Mediterranean missions due to fuel costs and Italian port assignment policies. haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] SMH has postponed its next migrant rescue mission in the Central Mediterranean until next year. haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 60,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe by boat in 2026, a 39 percent decrease from the previous year. haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com